Residents learn about fire, mudslides, floods and missing explosives. And eat some ice cream.

By JOHN CRANDALL
The Orange County Register

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — They came for ice cream and information that could save their lives.

Residents attended the annual

Fire and Ice meeting hosted by the Modjeska Volunteer Fire Department Sunday.

Representatives from a number of Orange County organizations, including the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Public Works Department, spoke at the meeting.

Bruce Newell, officer in charge at the volunteer fire station, said the event has been held for about 15 years.

Initially, the meeting had just been about fire preparedness, but has since morphed into a forum on debris flows, mud, floods and rain.

And ice cream, provided free of charge.

About 125 people attended the event, according to a Sheriff's Department estimate.

Modjeska resident Bob Hunt, who attended the event, said that he thought the meeting went excellently, but that he had hoped to hear more about debris flows and the probability of the amount of rain that might trigger them.

A number of speakers gave information on risks facing the community.

*Robert Mann, investigator for the sheriff's bomb squad, said the deputies are still looking for about 150 pounds explosives that went missing from Black Star Canyon two weeks ago. He urged residents to keep their eyes open for missing blasting caps and sticks of dynamite.

"I really want to ask for your help," Mann told the crowd. "We only have

so many boots we can put on the ground."

Mann asked residents not to move or disturb the explosives, if found.

He said that anyone who sees the devices should contact either 911 or call him at 714-538-2694.

*Canyon resident Geoff Sarkissian talked about the dangers of debris flows, which are avalanche-like events made up of rocks and soil.

They become more prevalent after fires, which burn away the vegetation that normally would slow rainwater movements.

"It happens very quickly and it moves very quickly." Sarkissian said.

He also mentioned flooding caused by rains, adding that the May rains filled a local creek in only an hour.

Officials told residents that debris flows can't be fought like a fire; the best bet is to quickly evacuate.

*Orange County Fire Authority Battalion Chief Scott Brown told residents they should definitely not stay to fight fires, if a mandatory evacuation is issued.

He said residents put their lives at risk if they stay behind to fight a fire.

Brown said, "Your rescue may not be possible (if you remain) or you may cause risk to others."

*Bruce Newell also reminded residents to make sure they clear a defensible space around their houses to protect against fires.

Some of the information handed out included advice like clearing flammable vegetation 30 feet from any structure, removing dead leaves and needles from roofs and rain gutters and spacing trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart.

A number of speakers offered information on risks facing the canyon community. John Crandall/staff photographer

Copyright 2008 The Orange County Register